www.heatingandventilating.net
DOMESTIC BOILERS
The need to transition from gas to alternative energy sources for heat and hot water is environmental, financial and political, which makes for a compelling need to find viable solutions
involved in modifying the property for new technology. For landlords, it’s a particularly beneficial switch, because an electric boiler requires no flue, no gas safety certification and no mandatory maintenance inspections. For rented properties and social housing, therefore, an electric boiler reduces maintenance costs and provides an assurance of tenant safety, with no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks or explosion.
Myth busting
One of the common push backs when it comes to electric boilers is the running costs. Electric boilers often seem cost prohibitive as compared to gas, but they can be operated using renewable energy sources to keep running costs down. An ideal configuration for a smaller property, for example, would be an electric combi boiler and a solar power installation. For larger properties, an electric boiler combined with an unvented cylinder can take advantage of lower electricity tariffs during the night to heat enough hot water to last for the whole day at low cost. Electric boilers also provide an energy source for underfloor heating, delivering a solution for contemporary homes and new builds. Government policy, developers, landlords and homeowners are not just
considering the financial costs of alternatives to gas, they are also focused on the environmental costs of heating homes. In addition to combining electric boilers with renewable energy sources installed at the property, homeowners and tenants can choose to select energy providers that supply customers exclusively from renewable sources. In this way, electric boilers can contribute to reduced carbon emissions while offering reliability, ease of installation and low maintenance benefits. The other key factor that must be considered is comfort. One of the
challenges with air source heat pumps is that they are better able to generate heat when the weather is warm; precisely when homeowners’ need for heating is lowest. Conversely, gas provides a reliable heat source that can warm a home quickly, while, historically, electric heating has had a reputation for providing a less consistent heat output. This is no longer the case. Contemporary electric boilers, such as the EHS boilers stocked by Beesley & Fildes, are efficient and reliable: the key is to specify the correct size and type of boiler for the property. Just like gas boilers, they can also benefit from the use of smart controls, enabling the homeowner to programme in their own requirements or control their heating remotely for improved comfort, energy efficiency and cost management.
Easier up-sell
For heating engineering businesses, the prospect of moving away from gas boilers to new renewable technologies is daunting, because it requires both additional skills and an upsell to customers who may recognise the environmental value of renewables but be unwilling to pay the price of higher purchase and installation costs. Electric boilers are a much easier sell to the customer and a much easier
transition for the installer, while providing improved sustainability for the property.
With the investment in sustainable energy infrastructure promising low costs
and environmental impact from electric heating, CO2 savings compared to gas, and practical considerations compared to heat pumps, electric boilers should be an important part of the future of domestic heating and hot water.
DOWNLOAD THE HVR APP NOW
May 2022 23
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32
